Food slicing machine



Dec. 29, 1964 P. H. LuPoLl I 3,163,192

FOOD SLICING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1962 l y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PAUL H. Lupom ATTON EYS the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5'.

United States` Patent M e 3,163,192 FQD SLIClNG MACEME Paul H. Lupoli, 78.-27 .99th Ave., Woodliaven 21, FLY. Filed Sept. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 223,661

S Claims. (Cl. 14S-5) This invention relates to a food slicing machine, and in particular to a machine having a special utility in the slicing of elongate items, such as bananas. Although laborsaving devices have been proposed in the matter of slicing, in the cases of a great variety of foods, the problem of slicing bananas seems to have escaped attention, and this chore, in respect to slicing bananas in the preparation of banana splits for instance, andin embellishing cereals, Salads, and other dishes, Whether in the home, or, commercially, is still performed largely bymearis of a paring knife and hand manipulation.

It is therefore a general object of theinvention toV facilitate the slicing of fruits and other foodstuifs.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a slicing device which performs a complete, plural, slicing operation, with a single stroke. Y

It is also to be noted that in the variegated use of bananas, in subdivided form, the slicing may be effected either longitudinally of the fruit, or transversely thereof, depending on the environmental use, and the particular end sought, and it is therefore a further object of the invention to provide a unitary slicing unit which is capable of performing either of these types of slices, alternatively.

The objects also include the'provision of a device which is compact, and simple in structure, yet rugged, durable, 'i

and efficient inoperation, and which, additionally, is easy of manufacture, and low in cost.

These, and other ends, which will be apparent, are at` tained by the present invention, a preferred form of which may be briefly described as comprising a rectangular, elongate block, with paralleh equi-spaced grooves in opposite faces, the two sets of grooves being mutually perpendicular, and cutter units swingably mounted on edges of the block, with gang knives arranged for reception in the grooves.

ICC

' ness, for rigidity, and rmbacking for the slicing knives.

Each grooved face of the block is provided with a swingable, gang slicer, comprising a plurality of knives, assembled on a frame, and hinged to the block. Thus, as seen in FIGURES 1-3, the Slicer cooperating with short, transverse grooves 12, comprises a series of knives 16, each having a pair of bores near its two ends, by

which it is received on a pair of long bolts 18, provided with nuts 20. Suitably bored, spacer blocks 22 are mounted on bolts 1S, one between eachV adjacent pair of knives, lto properly position 'the knives for'entry into grooves 1,2. Since the knives are relatively thin, the slicer assembly is given rigidity by a pair of bowed leaf springs 24 under exure, having bores byV which they are received on the two bolts 1S, at each end of the assembly. Since bananas are easily penetrated in slicing, the knives need not have sharp edges, and therefore may be easily provided as sections cut from a ribbon of thin stock, of rectangular cross section. f

The knife assembly thus described, is mounted on the block for swinging movement by any suitable hinge means. As shown, these comprise two hinges 26, but more may be employed, or a piano-type hinge may be used.r A trunnion-type of mounting is also possible. Each hinge is secured to one of thespacers 22 and to an edge of the block 1t).

Y The operation of transverse slicing will be clear from FIGURES 1 to 3. lVith a peeled banana 27 laid lengthdividual knives passing through the banana, dividing it W into a plurality of discs, as Vshown in FIGURE 2, "and For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which: Y

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the slicer, with a banana in place, in preparation for cutting transverse slices;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing completion of the slicing operation;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view through the critter, showing a stage of slicing intermediate between those shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the Slicer, with the bottom side of FlGURES 1 and 2 turned to face upward, in position for longitudinal slicing, and showing a banana, in dash lines, in position for longitudinal slicing;

FIGURE Sis a sectional View,I taken on the plane of interrnediate'position of swing of the knives and FIGURE 6 is a sectional View, taken on the plane of Y `the lineA 5-5 of FIGURE 4, showing, in dash lines, anV ,y

the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

Vpassing downward into the grooves 12.

Except for length and number, the gang knives for longitudinal slicing are arranged in an assembly of construction similar to that providing the transverse cuts. Thus, knives 28 are received'on bolts 3@ as separated by spacers.` Y

32, `with bowed leaf springs 34, under exure, providing rigidity, and the'assembly `swingrnounted on hinges 36. With a banana laid on this side of the block, las seen in FIGURE 4, descent of the slicing unit will result in longitndinal slices, the shape Vof which will be evident from the V- banana oblique to the main dimensions of the block, on`

either side, for cutting, which will provide cut segments of a character intermediate the discs and the long slices.

Thus there has been provided ka highly compact'and e `versatile device, having two distinct types of Slicers, which are completely stowed away in their mounting block, 'when not in use,and whichV are available, alternatively, for

use, by the'simple expedient of turning the block over.

While a certain, preferred embodiment has been shown and described, modifications will be apparent, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, be deemed as` limited, except insofar as shall Whatisfclaimedis: Q. l ,Y -A y' Y 1. 'A reversible slicer, for foodstuffs or the like, com- Y prising4 an'elongate, rectangular block, with opposite, parfthere is shown an; elongate, rectangular block 16, having,

in one face, a set of equi-spaced, parallel, rectangular grooves, or channels, 12 parallel to the short, end edges of the block, and inthe opposite face, asimilar set ofv grooves i4, arranged parallel to the longer, side edges ofthe block, the two sets of grooves in the opposite faces being, therefore, mutually perpendicular, As seen in y' iFlGURES 3, 5 and 6, the grooves extend in depth for about one-third of thethickness of the block, which leaves a substantialpsolid portion'medially of theblock thickallel'faces, each having throughout, a series of equi-spaced, paralleh 4channel groovesof constant depth, extending for approximately one-third of the -thickness of the block, the

grooves in oneV face being parallel to the shortidimension thereof, vand the grooves in theother face being parallel to the long dimension thereof, and aV pair of knife units,

each hingedly connected to an edge of saidblock, and I each having al'series of equi-spaced, parallel knife blades of rectangular construction positioned andV arranged to be received in thegrooves in one of the respective, said faces,

Bdel eaienieanec. 2e, 1954" appear from """each knife unitcomprising a pair of bolts, and said blades having bores at opposite ends, received on said bolts, spacer means having bores received on said bolts, and located between adjacent blades, and bowed, leaf springs,

having end bores received von said blades, and in a state of'Y flexure, at the two ends of said seriesV of knives.

2. A reversible slicer, for foodstuffs or the like, comv short dimension thereof, and the grooves prising an elongate, rectangular block,` with opposite, f

parallel faces, each having throughout, a series of equispaced, parallel, channel grooves of constant depth, terminating short of the middle of the block, the grooves in one face being parallel to the short dimension'thereof and the grooves in the other face being. parallel to the longV located between adjacent blades, and bowed, leaf springs, Y

having end bores received on said blades, and in a state of ilexure, at the two ends of said Vseries of knives.

3. A reversible slicer, for foodstuffs or the like, comprising an elongate, rectangular block, with opposite, parallel faces, each having throughout, a series of equi-spaced, parallel, channel grooves of constant depth, the grooves in one face being parallel toY the short dimension thereof, and the grooves in the other face being parallel to the long dimension thereof, and a pair of knife units, each hingedly connected to an edge of said block, and each having a Vlel faces, each havingV a series of parallel, channel grooves of constant depth, the grooves in, one face being parallel ktor-the shortdimension thereof, andthe grooves in the other face being parallel to the long dimension thereof,

` and a pair of knife units, each hingedly connected to an edgel of said block, and each having-a series of equi-V spaced, parallel knife yblades of rectangular construction positioned and arranged to be received in' the grooves in one of the respective, said faces, Veach knife unit comprising a pair of bolts, and said blades having bores at opposite ends, received on said bolts, spacer means having bores received on` said bolts, and located Vbetween adjacent blades, and bowed, leaf springs, having end bores vreceived on said blades,and in a statefof ilexure, at the two ends of said series of knives. Y g

5. A reversible slicer, for foodstuffs or thelike, comprising an elongate, rectangular block, with opposite, parallel faces, each having` a series Vof parallel, channel grooves, the grooves in one face being parallel, to the s series of equi-spaced, parallel knife Vblades of rectangular s d Y Y in the other face being parallel to the long dimension thereof, and a pair of knife unitsfeach hingedly connected to an edge of said block, and each having a series `of equi-spaced, parallel knife blades of rectangular construction, positioned and arranged to be received in the grooves in one of the respective, said faces, each knife unit comprising a pair of integrating rods, and said knives having bores at opposite ends, received on said rods, spaced meanshaving bores received on said rods, and located between adjacent knives, and bowed, leaf springs, having end bores received on said rods, an in a state of flexure, lat the twopends of said` series of knives.

6. AY reversible Slicer, for foodstuffsfor the like, comprising an elongate, rectangular blockpwith opposite, parallel faces, each having a series of parallel, channel grooves, the grooves in one face being parallel to the short dimension thereof, and the grooves in the other face being parallel to the long dimension thereof, Vand a pair of knife units, each hingedly connected to an edge of said block,

and each having a series of equi-spaced, parallel knife blades of rectangular construction, positioned and arranged to be received in the grooves in one of the respective, said faces, each knife unit comprising a'connector means for the ends of said knife blades, and bowed, leaf springs,

having end bores received on said connector means, and

in a' `state of ilexure, at the two ends of said series of blades. n l

7. A reversible slicer, for Yfoodstuffs or the like, comprising an elongate, rectangular block, with opposite, parallel faces, each having a series of parallel, channel grooves, the groovesin one face being parallel to the short dimension thereof, and the grooves in the other face being parallel to they long dimension thereof, and a pair of knife units, each hingedly connected to an edge of said block,

and each having a series of equis`paced,parallel knife blades of rectangular construction, positioned and ar ranged to be received in the grooves in one of the respective, said faces, each knife unit comprising a connector means for the ends of said knife blades, and including` the grooves in one face being parallel to the short dimension thereof, andthe grooves in the other face being parallel to the long dimension thereof, anda pair of knife units, eachl hingedly connected to an edgeV of said block,

and each having 'a series of equi-spaced, parallel knife blades, positioned andV arranged to be received in the` grooves in one of the respective, said faces, each knife unit comprising a connector means for the ends of said knife blades, and including spring means arranged to apply tension to said blades in a plane transverse thereto.

' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS J. SPENCER ovERHoLsEn'Prfmm Exmmar.`

3/25v t simberg et a1 14s-203 3/37 Van Riper 146-'78 

8. A REVERSIBLE SLICER, FOR FOODSTUFFS OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING AN ELONGATE, RECTANGULAR BLOCK, WITH OPPOSITE, PARALLEL FACES, EACH HAVING A SERIES OF PARALLEL, CHANNEL GROOVES, THE GROOVES IN ONE FACE BEING PARALLEL TO THE SHORT DIMENSION THEREOF, AND THE GROOVES IN THE OTHER FACE BEING PARALLEL TO THE LONG DIMENSION THEREOF, AND A PAIR OF KNIFE UNITS, EACH HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO AN EDGE OF SAID BLOCK, AND EACH HAVING A SERIES OF EQUI-SPACED, PARALLEL KNIFE BLADES, POSITIONED AND ARRANGED TO BE RECEIVED IN THE GROOVES IN ONE OF THE RESPECTIVE, SAID FACES, EACH KNIFE UNIT COMPRISING A CONNECTOR MEANS FOR THE ENDS OF SAID KNIFE BLADES, AND INCLUDING SPRING MEANS ARRANGED TO APPLY TENSION TO SAID BLADES IN A PLANE TRANSVERSE THERETO. 